Memorable Manitobans: James Whimster (1812-1900)

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James Whimster
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Pioneer.

Born at Glasgow, Scotland in 1812, he married Jessie Swanson (?-1848) at Thurso, Caithness, Scotland on 13 May 1836. They came to Perth County, Ontario in 1839 and had three children, one of whom was David Bell Whimster, and lived at Kingston (1943), Toronto (1847), and Hamilton (1848). In 1848, he remarried to Mary Campbell (1827-1914), with whom he had at least seven more children. From 1850 though the 1860s, he live at St. Marys, Ontario before moving to High Bluff in 1871, where they farmed until 1882 and then moved to Portage la Prairie. He was first clerk of the Municipal Council of the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie, and later served as School Trustee. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Presbyterian church, and Liberal party. He died in 1900 and was buried in the Portage Hillside Cemetery.

Sources:

Tread of the Pioneers, written and edited by Joseph H. Metcalfe and published by the Portage la Prairie and District Old Timers’ Association, 1932.

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.

We thank Andy Brownbill and Nathan Kramer for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 8 February 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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